Details
SUZIE ZUZEK (AMERICAN 1920-2011)
Lilly's Owls
watercolor, ink, and graphite on paper
15 x 11 in. (38.1 x 27.9 cm.) (unframed)
Executed in 1967.
Provenance
Created for Key West Hand Print Fabrics, Inc., Key West, Florida, 1967.
Acquired by Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., Palm Beach, Florida, sold Key West Hand Print Fabrics, Inc., 1985 to private owners.
Acquired from the above by the present owner, 2016.
Literature
Susan Brown and Caroline Rennolds Milbank, Suzie Zuzek for Lilly Pulitzer: The Artist Behind an Iconic American Fashion Brand, 1962–1985, New York, 2020, p. 170-171 (illustrated).
Brought to you by

Lot Essay

One of Zuzek's greatest strengths was her ability to inject whimsy into a traditional pattern. From afar, Lilly's Owls appears as a bold polka-dot pattern. Closer examination reveals a flock of inquisitive owls. All owls in this pattern are oriented the same way, making it an outlier among Zuzek's patterns which typically twist and turn every direction. This made the print especially suited to long vertical silhouettes such as men's jeans, where it became a staple. Pulitzer tended to favor Zuzek's animal prints for men's wear, and florals for women and girls.

As with so many of the Zuzek originals, this piece holds a special surprise on the back. A paisley with a small sketch of a mouse wearing a bowtie appears amongst various production notes. The theme of animals in dapper attire can be seen in much of Zuzek's work, such as in Gallery, lot 35.

Related Articles

Sorry, we are unable to display this content. Please check your connection.

More from
Suzie Zuzek: The Artist Behind Lilly Pulitzer
Place your bid Condition report

A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.

I confirm that I have read this Important Notice regarding Condition Reports and agree to its terms. View Condition Report